Californiana
for the Young & Young at Heart:A Special Exhibition of Books for Children with
a California Theme now at the California State
Library

The
California History Section of the California State
Library holds a sizeable collection of books which
authors since the 19th century have designed for
children of all ages. Visitors can see these
historic treasures in Californiana for the
Young and Young at Heart: A
Special Exhibition of Books for Children with a
California Theme,
California History’s newest exhibit running
through February 2007 at the California State
Library (CSL).

The Mead B. Kibbey Gallery, Library & Courts
II Building.

California’s
storied past, from the early days of Spanish
exploration to the gold rush to the feats of
modern-day sports stars, has long provided fertile
ground for the authors and artists who create
books for children.The colorful publications in the CSL
exhibit provide a fascinating look at the cultural
history of California boys and girls. The
exhibition items also document the ever-evolving
interpretation of California’s past. Many
consist of textbooks from the late 19th and early
20th centuries created or approved by
California’s Department of Education. Included
in the exhibition is a selection of Chinese
language textbooks dating from 1910 to 1930 used
by the Sacramento Delta community of Locke.
Others, however, have taken on historical themes
centering on early explorers, Franciscan missions,
Gold Rush, Pony Express, and building of the
railroads.

Patty
Reed's Doll records the harrowing story of a
child member of the tragic Donner Party.

Highlights
of the exhibition include Uncle
John’s Stories for Good California Children (San
Francisco, 1860),
the first California story book for children;
letters and books of Palmer Cox, author of the
famed Brownies series; an inscribed copy of Capital
Kitty presented to the State Library by first
lady Sharon Davis; a California juvenile textbook
written by State Librarian emeritus, Dr. Kevin
Starr; and a series of beautifully autographed
books by Leo Politi of Los Angeles. Politi, a
native of Fresno, fell in love with Los Angeles’
Latino community and produced a splendid series of
books focusing their rich culture.

Books
telling the story of the great overland trek to
California have been a popular thing for authors
and artists of children's books.

In
recent years, ethnic and ecological themes have
become popular. The story of Ishi, the last
survivor of the Yahi tribe; African Americans in
the Gold Rush; Chinese migration to California;
and John Muir, the father of modern ecology
movement, have provided children’s authors
inspiring themes.

With
more economical means of printing in color,
artists and publishers have developed beautifully
illustrated books that appeal to both young and
more mature audiences. As a result every page
becomes a work of art with dazzling images of the
Golden State.

Palmer
Cox's original letters and first editions from his
famous Brownies series grace this case. Cox
lived in California from 1863 to 1875.

Californiana
for the Young and Young at Heart: A
Special Exhibition of Books for Children with a
California Theme is
open to the public from 9:30 to 4:00 Monday
through Friday excluding state holidays in the
Mead B. Kibbey Gallery in the Library and Courts
II Building at 900 N Street, Sacramento,
California 95814.